Water going line carrier



Nov. 7, 961 P. F. STILL WATER GOING LINE CARRIER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledDec. 9, 1960 HVVENTOR PAUL l.: ST/LL H/S TTO/PNEVS Nov. 7, 1961 P. F.STILL. 3,007,432

WATER GOING LINE CARRIER Filed Dec. 9, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5I 5a 56 5259 c 48 INVENTOR PAUL E ST/LL WW1/Zd@ H/S T TOPNEVS Unid Staf@ Patent O,v x 3.001,43@ `WATER GOING LINE CARRIER Praducts, santa clara, Calif.,a eorporafior ef Canfornia vFiled De`c. 9,1960, Ser. No. 75,011

Claims.- (Cl. 115-'6.1)

This invention relates `to a motor driven Yvessel and control meanstherefor and more particularly to certain novel improvements therein.

Various typse of devices havebeen proposed hereto"- -fore for towingfish lines or the like 'along the surface of water. A few of theseAdevices have vcontrol means for aifecting steerability and othersdisclose means for controlling the drive. While Vthese vdevices are'effective or Vthe purpose intended the rst entails dual lines operableby the user to facilitate right and left directioning and the othererequire an additional line for controlling, more particularly stopping,the drive means. Moreover, this last mentioned drive control iseiectiveonly after the device is preset to 'drive the craft forward andonce 'this has been changedby the control means forward motion 'cannotbe 're-establishedwithout drawing the device back to the user `so thathe can again preset it.

The present invention has as its principle object to provide 'in linetowing devices a programmer facilitating a control cycle which "can lberepeated by manipulation 'of a single control line. In connection 'withthis 4'o bicc't it -is a yfurther object to provide a single LrneansWithin ythe -sealed vessel for accomplishing drive,`s`topl fndsteerability by manipulation of but "single control line.

It is another object of venton to provide an electrically operated,battery driven, compact line cai-rying device 'adapted to belselfp''ropcll'ed lalong the surface of water. In connection with thisobject it is an object to provide such adevice with a forward drive orpropeller and a self sealing drive shaft driven frorn within the craft.It is another object to provide in fa pullertype propeller arrangementfor such craft, ya forwardly eittending' drive housing having a coursedirecting curved contour relative to fore and aft so as to compensatefor erovercome due to prevailing water conditions 'and currents.

In connection with theforeigoing object it is another object to providein a craft of the type herein described, 'a novel means for'eXcluding'the intake of water along the drive shaft Without the use ofpacking.

I't is another object of the presentin'vention to Aprovide means 4in theform of a stabilizing iin for counteracting torque created by thepropeller.

Another object is to provide'baking means which normally assumenon-braking condition during forward fno# tion of the device in -waterand which automatically affortisr a braking action or resistance tobackward move'- rnent 'of the vessel when such movement occurs uponmanipulation of the control line.

These 'andother objects and advantages 'ofthe present 'invent-ion winbecome apparent in the following description when read in the lightofthe drawings in whicl FIG. 1 i's a longitudinal section through a selfpropelled line puller embodying the present invention.

FIG. v2 is an elevational view of the aft end of the craft as s ee'iifroin the left in FIG. '1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged transverse section through FIG. l takensubstantially along line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section of the aft compartmentof the craft as seen in FIG. .l showing the control means therefor.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the aft portion of the craft 3,007,432 PatentedNov. 7, 1961 ICC . 2 `and its rudder, parts being broken away forpurposes of illustration; and

FIG. 6 `is an enlarged detail section of the propeller, screw, `driveshaft and housing at the fore end of the craft.

Referring to FIG. l the line puller or craft, designated 10, comprises avessel 11 Vhaving a sealed chamber 1,2.within which is carried a inotora source of power in the form of batteries B-B'; acontrol means Cincluding a switch S for closing a circuit D between the batter-ies andthe motor and a programmer P for "effecting fa cycle of operationlaterto be eitplained.

The motor M which 'is at the fore end of the compartment or chamber 12has a drive shaft `le'x'tenling for; vvardly therefrom through a housingandconnected to -a propeller 15 at the forward extreniity thereof.

The control means which is at the aft end of compertinent or chamber 12has one end of a manually operable control lin/r;l 16 extendingrearwardly therefrom through a rudder R. The opposite of the vcontrolline f6 is in possession of the operator or user of `the craft 10 andmay be -reeled up on a winch or other suitable means such as aii'shingreel (not shown).

The batteries B which are of lesser diameter than the 'vessel :11 arelsecured in clips 17 in Contact and alignment with each 'other within 'afraaie 1s. The frameis issecured at the base or' keel line of the vesselso as to provide ballast therefore assuring buoyancy of the craft onadesired plane.

The vessel 11 is in the Vform of a tube 2t)` vhaving a rounded fore end21 terminating in acylindrical neck 22. 'The aft or' normanyepen and zeof the tube zo has an outwardly extending flange 24. A cap-like cov'er 25 lis stretch lfitted over the flange 2 4 to close the open end -23 ofthe tube in a watertight manner. v

As best seen in FIGS. l and 5 the cap-like cover 25 is formed as a partof the rudder R, the entire body'of which is resilient, it being made ofrelatively st-it but pliable; yieldable material such as rubber or anyone of the well known polyester materials of like character which tendsto assume its normal lform and shape. This forms a part of the steeringmeans of the present invention and will therefore be explained in detailhereinafter.y

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5 the control means C issecured in place Within- Athe tube or vessel A1v1 on an aft part of theframe 18. To this end a rearward extension 26 of the frame 18 is ben tup slightly from the door of thet'ube `20. A bolt 27 extending throughthe extension 126 serves to secure a back plate 28 to the frame 18. Thisprovides a ground contact for the aft battery, and a trunnion bracket2.9 for the pro'- grammer P. The back plate 28 is a metal stamping fromwhich a lower foot portion 30 extends rearwardly over and in contactwith the rearwardextension 26 of frame 18. vA leaf spring amr 3 1overlies the foot portion 30 and is secured wit h the latter to therearward extension by the bolt 27. `As best seen in FIG. 4 the bolt 27 is insulated from the frame 18, foot 30,and leaf spring 31 to provide onecontact of the switch S. The leaf spring 31 is formed so as to overliethe round head top 32 of the bolt 27 and thereby forms the 4othercontact of the switch S. 'Alsoinsulated from the iframe 18 but inelectrical contact with the bolt 27 is a condctor tab or washer 33 whichhas one end ,of an electrical lconductor` wire 34 solderedthereto 'I'hiswire 34 meanders forwardly within the tube 20 and has its opposite endsoldered to one lead of the electric inotor M. The other lead 'of motorM connected to a conductor 35 having its opposite end soldered to -acenter contact 36 secured to an upturned tore end 37 of the frame 18 andinsl'ated therefrom in a conventional manner. This foregoing constitutesthe circuit D under the conclosing of the switch or for shutting olf themotor'when the switch is open. Y

trol of the switch S for energizing the motor M upon Y Closing andopening of the switch S is eifected `bythe l programmer P which ismanually operated by the control means C underthe iniluence of thecontrol Vline 16. IThe trunnion bracket 29.y comprises a pair of arms 38and 39 bent back from the back plate k28 of which they are a part.-These arms .3S-39' are spaced from each other, equidistant from axialcenter of the tube 20 and l have a pinion shaft 40 Ajournaledat theirends substantially transverse to the'said axis. A step-uprmechanisrn inthe form of a ratchet and cam unit 41 is Ymounted on the Vshaftl40 forstep byV step turning relative thereto.

One side of the unit 41 has diametric grooves 42Y within which a kinked'portion 43 oftheadjacent arm 39 of the cam seat-to provide meansforholding the ratchet and cam unit at predetermined positions other thanwhen theratchet Vis turned. It will be noted that the end of shaft 40extends through and beyondV the arm 39 so that the arm 39 can llexoutwardly during turning ofthe unit'41.'

The unit 41 has a dual ratchet 44-44, one on each side of la central cam45 which is operatively associated r with the switch arm end 46 of theleaf spring 31,*previously mentioned. As best seen in FIG. 4 this end 46of the leaf spring tends to bear against the cam 45 and to bepresseddownwardly by the high side of the'same to hold the switch arm incircuit closing contact with` declivity being of such depth radially asto allow the leaf Y spring arm 31 to rise, due to its own resiliency. Inthis lmanner the leaf spring contact 3-1 moves away from the round headof the'bolt 2 7 `to open the switch S and thereby cut olf ilow ofcurrent vfrom the batteries B-'B to the motor M. This would constitutethe lastV o r normal position of the switch when thevessel is non use.To start: the motor M the ratchets 44-44'f must be moved Yat least onestep (one quadrant) to dispose the high side of the cam 45 in contactwith the switch arm 31 to press the latter against the bolt head 32 toclose the switch S. Since the high side ofrthe cam extends threequadrants (SA) the circumference the switch will remain closed untilquadrant IV is again Vpositionedl to dispose the declivity thereof incontact with the leaf spring 31. j Y

The ratchets 44-744 are operatively associatedwith a` pawl 48. This pawlis broader than the cam 45 soas to spanA the latter and engage the teethon opposite sides thereof as illustrated'in FIGS.' 3 and 5. The pawl 48is a downturned end on a llexible paddle shaped base '49 having its foreend secured to a'rod 50. yThis rod 50 extends through a pair 'of alignedopenings 51-'52 formed in th legs 53-54 respectively of a Ushaped guideframe 55 formed as a part ofthe baclr plate 28. The rod 50 has acompression spring 56 thereon between the legs 53'-54 of the U-shapedguide frame 55. This ySpring 56 has its aft end rbearing against the aftleg of the-*frame 55andV its fore end bearing against a .washer 57-mounted on the rod 50 and blocked against forward=mo`vement relativethereto by a cotter pin 5,8. In this manner, the rod `50, and with itthe pawl 48, is urged forwardly relative to the guide frame 55, to theposition shown in'FIG. 1. IThis forward lmovementY is limited by' aflange head 59 at the juncture of the rod with the paddle base 49. Y Asbest seen in FIGS. 1 and'4 thecontrol line 16 is secured Vto the paddlebasel 49. YWhen the Vcontrol line 16 is pulled rearwardly the paddle 49,pawl 48A and rodV 50 are drawn rearwardly to thepositionshown in VFIG.f4'against the actionof the spring 56. In thismanner "the pawl 48 isdrawn over the top quadrant teeth of the ratchets 44'-44, the latterbeingV held stationary by the ratchet holding means (groove 4Z-andlcinkedY portion 43 of the arm 39)'. Here it should be noted that theopeningz 52 inthe aftleg 54 of the VU-shaped guide frame 55 is avertical slot'so that thepawl 48 can Y rise Vas it glidesfoverthemarcuate teeth of the ratchet. Now when the control line is released,thegspringSG expands to normal thereby pulling the pawl 48 forwardlyinto the position shown in.FIG. l.V The pawl which was engaged behindthe'uppermost teeth of the ratchets 44-44 therebyturns the ratchet onequadrantal step.

Each'quadrantal step of the ratchet establishes-a particular phase of"operation of the programmer For purpose of clarity the cycle ofoperation of the 'programmerP is as follows: Y

Step Drive Steering Y Y Motor on Rudderneadaheaa. Y

Motor On Rudder-Lett Motor,0n... Radda-Right.

Motor Off- RudderDeadAhead.

I TheV steering-of the vessel '.is also controlled by Athe programmer.`.To this end the unit 41 has 'a Vpair of arms vl and' rfcarried by the:right and'left ratchetsfl-lV and 44 respectively. These arms l and rare disposed to the sides of'the pawl48 and `paddle 49 v(FIGS. 3 I v and5) -soas to turn'fwith the` unit 41 in the Yspaces'be- Ytween the pawl48-49yand the armsY 38 and 39 of the trunnion l29.' These arms 'l and rtherefore turn freely Y with' the Vunit 41. the trunnion Y29 and engageVVnothing excep t,the- 'cover 25, at the aft fend of the tube 20Y andthen. only whenl such 'arm l orr extends rear wardly fromv the,t'r'unniom The arm l whichfis .anale rea hand ratchet' Misdieposed inthe quadrant l] ofthe r'atchets. When the 'control line 16 is pulled toadvance the ratchet unit another itep the arm r is the -iirst toengagerthecap or cover 25 as illus-r f trated'in FIG. 5." When thisoccurs the relatively stiff but pliable material from which the cover ismade, tlexes outwardly from the left side of the cover causing the'rud-`der R to assume'n'ght rudder position asl shown in full Vvlines 1FIG. 5.,"Ihispcausesthe craft or vesselltorturn-,toV

and the arm'r nowengagesthe cover but ,onthe other (right) side ofcenter (see dotted lines FIG'. 5). Thus 1t will he seen that therudderR, by its own resiliency returns v,from right rudder position to centerand asthe arm r engages the right side of 'theY cover, the rudderR isflexed rto the left ofcenter (see dot-dash or left rudderlpositiorr gFIG. 5). lIt should here R'for return'to center positionor deadiaheadposition( Consequently when the cable`16`is pulled again (a newcycle of operation of the programmer P) the'ratchet unit steps up on'quadrant to -again dispose the high side of cam 45 against leaf'spring31 to close switch S and turn 011 the motor.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that with but a single cord orcontrol line (16) the drive meansof the on the 'righthand ratchet y benoted that throughout steps pI, Hand IIIthe high side of the cam45 is inengagement with the water level.

vessei can be started and stopped and the vessel steered at .the will ofthe person manipulating the control line.

As best seen in FIGS. l, 2 and 5 the control line 16 extends through acentral tubular section 60 of the rudder R. This tubular section 60terminates in a reduced neck 61 which is cemented to a flexible tube 62to provide va water seal. The tube 62 is long enough to assure a longsurface seal between the inner walls of the tubel 62 and the nylonleader which is the terminal end of the control line 16. In this mannera water tight seal is provided so as to prevent water from entering thechamber 12.

The body ofthe cylinder 20 has a stabilizing iin or keel 65 extendingdownwardly therefrom. This iin 65 is' oiset at an anglel ofapproximately 45 to vertical to counteract torque created by thepropeller 15. This tin 65 is far enough forward on the tube 20 to leavespace for a brake 66. The brake 66 is a flat ybaie plate hingedlyconnected as at V67 to thetube 20 transversely thereof and adjacenttheaft end of the iin 65. "I'he arrangement is such that during forwardmovement of the vessel 11 in water, the plate 66 vm'll assume ahorizontal position and glide 'through the water. However upon anybackward movement of the vessel in the water, as when the control line16 is pulled, thek plate 66 will swing down into against the aft end ofthe iin 65 and thereby provide resistance and therefore a brakingactionv to backward movement of the vessel in the water. Thus it will beappreciated that valthough the return spring 56 on the pawl arrangementrequires a fair tug in order to step up the ratchet unit 41, the baflieplate 66 affords Suflicient resistance to assure full stroke operationof the programmer each time the control line 16 is pulled. n

Referring now to the fore end of the vessel as seen in 'FIG. l anddetailed in FIG. 6, it will Vbe noted that the drive shaft 13 is atwistedcable which tits snugly in a polyethylene tube 73 mounted withthe housing 14. The foreend of this cable 13 is suitably anchored in andsecured to the hub of propeller 1S. The propeller 15 rests against `ofthe tube 1s.

, As previously mentioned the housing 14 for the drive shaft 13 has acurved contour. Moreover, as seen in FIG.

l the entire housing 14 is rotatable relative tothe neck portion 22 atthe fore end 21 of the vessel 11. This allows for 360 adjustment of thecurved housing to compensate for torque of the propeller and to overcomewater conditions such as side currents as for example when the device isused in a stream.V

As seen in FIG. 1 the housing can be set with its curved contourdisposed upwardly to Ihold the propeller high or at Should the crafttend to turn from straight forward even though the rudder is set fordead ahead, the housing can' be turned into a position which willcompensate for such tendencies of the vessel to go oi course.

Should the device 10 be used in a stream, in order to overcome the crosscurrents or downstream flow, the housing 14 can be turned to anyposition necessary to compensate for such current conditions.

While I have described my improvements for a line towing device inspecic detail it will be appreciated that it may be susceptible tomodifications, alterations and/ or variations without departing -fromthe spirit of my invention therein. I therefore desire to avail myselfof all modications, alterations and/ or variations as Ifairly comewithin the purview of the appended claims. n

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is: l p

1. In a water going line carrier of the propeller driven type having atubular body providing a sealed chamber confining a motor` and a batteryin a circuit with a switch 'an elet-:tricl motor, batteries in circuitwith the motor for controlling said circuit; a programmer within saidchamber comprising a step-up mechanism having cam means alternatelyengageable with said switch for opening and closing the same, and amanually operated control line extending into said chamber and securedto said stepup mechanism for advancing the same.

2. In a water going line carrier of the propeller driven vessel typehaving the form of a sealed chamber confining a motor connected to thepropellerI and a battery in a circuit with the motor including a switchfor controlling said circuit; a programmer Within said chambercomprising a ratchet having cam means operatively engaging said switchfor opening and closing the same, a spring urged pawl forad'vancing saidratchet in steps, and a manually operated control line entering thechamber of said vessel and secured to said pawl for pulling the latteragainst the action of its spring for advancing said ratchet. v

3. In a water going line carrier of the propeller driven type having atubular body providing a sealed chamber confiningy a motor and a batteryin a circuit with a switch for controlling said circuit; a resi-lientrudder,'a pro'- grammer within said chamber comprising a ratchet havingcam means operatively engageable with said switch for opening andclosing the same, a left and-y a right tiller arm spaced segmentallyfrom each other on said ratchet and alternately engageable with saidrudderffor flexing the same to the left and the right respectively, aspring urged pawl for advancing said ratchet in seg'- rnental steps,vand a manually operated control line extending into said chamber andsecured to said pawl for pulling the latter against the action of itsspring for advancing said ratchet.

4.1In a water going line carrierof the type having a tubular bodyproviding a sealed chamber confining anda switch in said circuit forcontrolling the latter; a

housing at the fore end of said tubular body, a propeller at the foreend of said housing, adrive shaft connected topsaidpropeller and saidmotor, and a programmer in said chamber comprising a step-up mechanismincluding a cam' engageable with said switch for opening and closing thesame, and a manually operated control line eX- tending into said chamberand secured to said step-up mechanism for advancing the same to therebyengage and disengage said cam with said switch at the option of the usermanipulating said control line.

5. In' a water going line carrier of the type having a tubular bodyproviding a sealed chamber confining an electric motor, batteries incircuit with the motor and a switch in said circuit for controlling thelatter; a resilient rudder at the aft end of said tubular body, a driveshaft housing at the fore end of said tubular body, a propeller at thefore vend Vof said housing, a drive shaft connected to said propellerand said motor, and a programmer in said chamber comprising a step-upmechanism including a cam engageable with said switch for opening andclosing the same, a manually operated control line extending into saidchamber and 'secured to said step-up mechanism for advancing the same tothereby engage and disengage said cam with said switch at the option ofthe user manipulating said control line, and tiller arms on said step-upmechanism spaced circumferentially of e'ach other for alternatelyengaging and disengaging said resilient rudder for flexing the same toright and left alternately for changing the course of said water goingcarrier.

6. In a water going line carrier of the 'type having a tubular bodyproviding a sealed chamber confining an electric motor, batteries incircuit with the motor and a switch in said circuit for controlling Vthelatter; a rudder 'at the aft end of said tubular body comprising aresilient motor, a'nd a programmer in said chamber comprising a step-upmechanism including a pawl and ratchet, a cam `on one segment of` saidratchet engageable with said switch, when said ratchet is in one of;itsrstepped` positions, for opening and closing the same,'a tiller armon each of the next two segments of saidratchet and al-V ternatelyengageable withsaid resilient hollow tail-like n for flexing the latterrightgand left respectivelylrelative to said tubular body,4 and-amanuallyvoperated control line extending through said hollow tail-liketin lnto said chamber and secured to said pawl for advancing saidratchet one segmental step each-time-the usermanipulates said-controlline.V Y

7.V In a waterrgoing line carrier 'of-thettype having l,a Y

. tubularbody providing a sealed chamber Aconfining, an

electric motor, batteries Yin circuit withthemotor and a switch in vsaidcircuit for controlling the latter; ,arudder at the aft end of saidtubular body comprisingV a resilient hollow tail-like tin, a propellerat. the foreend of said body, a drive shaft yconnected'to said propellerand lsaid motor, and a programmer in said chamber comprising Ya .step-upmechanism including a pawl and ratchet, a c am on one .segment of saidratchet' engageable with said switch Ywhen said ratchet is in one of itsstepped positions for closing said switch, a tiller arm on each of thenext two segments of said ratchet. and alternately engageable with saidresilient hollow tail-like fin for flexing the latter rightandleftrespectively relative to said tubularl body, a manually operatedcontrol line extending through said hollow tail-like fin into saidchamber and secured to said pawl for advancing said ratchet onesegmental step each Y Y Y i8 segments of said ratchet and alternatelyengageable with saidY resilient hollowtail-liken for flexing the latterright ,and `left respectively ;relative .to said ktubular body, Vamanually operated control line .extending'through said hollow tail-likeVn into V said chamber and secured to said` .pawl for advancingysaid'ratchet onesegmental step each timejtheuser Vmanipulates saidcontrol line, a stabilizing keel-'like linen ,saidV body"Y setY atanVangle Vof'at ,least 5 degrees ofi verticalto counteract torquefcreatedrby said propeller, andA a bale plate hinged on saidtubu'lar`body transversely of said leel-likeiin' and freeto glide through Vthe',water during forward movement of said'gbodyf'under .i the iniluence ofsaid propeller and for abutting Vthe aft endY Vof said `keel-likein .forresisting backward movement of saidbody when Vthe latter is pulledrearwardly upon manipulation of said control'line.

10. jIn a water going carrler i viding aisealed'chamber confining anelectric rmotora time lthe user manipulates said control line, and abrake Y,

mechanism on said tubular body facilitating unrestricted Y forwardmovement thereof under the influenceof -said propeller and resistingbackward movement of said body Y when pulledrearwardly upon manipulationof said control line.

8. In a water going line carrierof the type .having aY tubular bodyproviding a sealed chamber confining an electric motor, batteries incircuit with the motor and a `switch in said circuit for controllingVthe latter; arudder at the aft end of said tubular body comprising aresilient hollow tail-'like iin, -apropeller at the lfore end of saidbody, a drive shaft connected to said propeller and Ysaid motor, andaprogrammer in said chamber comprising a step-*up mechanism including apawl and ratchet, acam on one segment of said ratchet engageable withsaid 1 switch when said ratchet is in one .of its stepped positions lforclosing said switch, a tiller arm on each of the nent twov segments ofsaid ratchetA and alternately engageable with said resilient hollowtail-like iin for exingthe :latter right and left,Y respectivelyrelative to saidV tubular b'o'dy, a manually operated control lineextending through said hollow tail-like tin into said chamber andsecured to said pawl for advancing said ratchet one segmental step eachtime the user manipulates said control line, a keel-likern on said bodyand a baffle plate hinged on said tubular body transversely'of saidkeel-like iin and free to glide through the water during forwardmovement of Vsaid body under the influence of said propeller and forabutting the aft endy body,l a drive shaft connected Ato saidpropellerand said.

motorand a programmer in said chamber comprising a step-up mechanismincluding a pawl and ratchet,A a cam on one segment of said ratchetengageable with said switch when said ratchet is in one of its steppedpositions for closing said switch, a tiller ann on each of the next twoVVbattery in circuit with said motor and a normally open switchforcontrolling said circuit; a step-up mecha-y nism within saidl chamberhaving a cam movable into and out of engagementwith said switch forclosing and opening the latter, a control line operatively connected tosaid step-up mechanism for advancing the same when said control'line ismanually pulled, a drive lshaft; housing projectingl forwardly from saidtubular body including Aa passage, a propeller at the fore end of saidhousing, and

a drive shaft connecting said propellerY to said motor `coml- Vprising atwisted cable snugly t within said'jpassage whereby the helical'trend ofsaid cable cooperates the internal wall of said passage to. forceincomingwater Voutwardly of said passage during'rotationV of said cable.

l1. In a water going carrier'havinga'tubular'body profviding sealedchambnereomiaing an @keine morena battery in circuit jwith said 'motorand with va normally open switch forV controlling said circuit;`astep-upmechanism Vwithin said chamber havinga cam movable into and outof engagement with saidJ-switchVV for closingand open-V ing the latter,alcontrol lineoper'a'tively'connected to said step-up mechanism forVadvancing the i same when said control lineris manually pulled, a driveshaft housing pro- `jectingl forwardly from Ysaidtubular bodyVincludinga passage, a propeller at the fore Vend o f said housing, a

flexible drive shaft connecting saidY propeller to said motor, saiddrive shafthousin'g having a Vcurved Ycontour diverging 'relative to thefore to aft axisof said tubular body for counteracting'torque created,by said propeller.V

v12. In a water going carrier having a tubular bodyV providing fasealedchamber yconfining an electric'moton a'V battery inrcireuit withysaid motor'and with a normally open switch for controlling vsaid'circuitgfa step-up'mecha nism within said chamber having a camV movableintoand out of engagement with said switch for closirigfand openi ingtheVlatter, a control line operatively-connectedtogsaid step-upimechanismforadvancing thesame when 'said control line is manually pulled; a driveshaft housing pro- Jectlng forwardly from said tubular body including apassage,.a propeller at-the fore end of said housing, a flexible driveshaftv connecting said` propeller to said motor,'said` drive shafthousing 'having' a curved 4contour diverging relative to the fore to aftaxisV of said tubular body for counteracting torque created by saidpropeller, said drive shaft housing being turnable relative to saidtubular body facilitating setting 0f the curved contourof said driveshaft housing to compensate for drift and sideV currents in the water inwhich said vesselis traveling. Y

13'. In a water going line Vcarrier of the type Yhaving a tubular bodyproviding a sealed chamber confining an electric motor, batteries incircuit with the motor and a normallyopen switch in saidcircuit forcontrolling the latter; aresilientirudder at thefaft end of saidtubularbody, ay driveshaft housing at the fore end of said tubular bodyapropeller-at=the fore end ofsaid-housing,

. a drive shaftv connected to said propeller and said motor, aprogrammer Iirrsaid ,cliamben.comprising kastep-up having a tubular bodypro- 9 1- Y mechanism including a cam movable into and out of engagementwith said 'switch for closing and opening the same, a manually operatedcontrol line extending into said chamber and secured to said step-upmechanism for advancing the same, tiller -arms on said step-up mechanismspaced circumferentially of each other and from said cam for alternatelyengaging and disenga'g'ing said resilient rudder for exing the same toright and left alternately for changing the course of said water goingcarrier, said drive shaft housing having a curved contour divergingrelative to the fore to aft -axis of said tubular body for counteractngtorque created by said propeller.

14. In a water going line ca-r-rier of the type having a tubular bodyproviding a sealed chamber confining an electric motor, batteries incircuit with the motor and a normally open switch in said circuit forcontrolling the latter; Ia resilient rudder at the aft end of saidtubular body, a drive shaft housing at the fore end of said tubularbody, a propeller at the fore end of said housing, a drive shaftconnected to said propeller and said motor, a programmer in said chambercomprising a step-up mechanism including a cam movable into and out ofengagement With said switch for closing and opening the same, a manuallyoperated control line extending into said chamber and secured to saidstep-up mechanism for advancing the same, tiller arms on said step-upmechanism spaced circumferentially of each other and from said cam foralternately engaging and disengaging said resilient rudder for exing thesame to right and left alternately for changing the course of said watergoing carrier, said drive shaft housing being turnable relative to saidtubular body facilitating setting of the curved contour of said driveshaft housing to compensate for drift and side currents in the water inwhich said vessel is travcling.

l5. In a Water going line carrier of the propeller driven type having atubular body providing a sealed chamber confining a motor and a batteryin a circuit with a switch for controlling said circuit; a resilientrudder, a programmer within said chamber comprising a ratchet having yasegmental cam operatively engageable with said switch for opening andclosing the same, a left and a right tiller arm on said ratchet eachspaced segmentally from each other and from said cam and alternatelyengageable with said rudder for flexing the same to the left and to theright respectively, -a spring urged pawl for advancing said ratchet insegmental steps, a manually operated control line extending into saidchamber and secured to said pawl for pulling the latter against theaction of its spring for advancing said ratchet, a drive shaft housingprojecting forwardly from said tubular body including a passage, a:propeller at the fore end of said housing, and a drive shaft connectingsaid propeller to said motor comprising a twisted cable snugly t withinsaid passage whereby the helical trend of said cable cooperates with theinternal wall of said passage to force incoming water outwardly of saidpassage during rotation of said cable.

16. In a water -going line carrier of the propeller driven type having atubular body providing a sealed chamber confining a motor and a batteryin a circuit with a switch for controlling said circuit; a resilientrudder, a program-mer within said chamber comprising ya ratchet having asegmental cam operatively engageable with said switch for opening andclosing the same, a left and a right tiller arm on said ratchet eachspaced segmentally from each other and from said cam and alternatelyengageable with said rudder for flexing the same to the left and to theright respectively, a spring urged pawl for advancing said ratchet insegmental steps, a manually operated control line extending into saidchamber and secured to said pawl for pulling the latter against theaction of its spring for advancing said ratchet, -a drive shaft housingprojecting forwardly from said tubular body including a passage, apropeller at the fore end of said housing, a drive shaft connecting saidpropeller to said motor comprising a twisted cable snugly vfit withinsaid passage whereby the helical trend of said cable cooperates with theinternal wall of said passage to force incoming Water outwardly of saidpassage during rotation of said cable, said drive shaft housing having acurved contour diverging relative to the fore to aft axis of saidtubular body for counteracting torque created by said propeller. y

17. In ra water going line carrier of the propeller driven type having:a tubular body providing a sealed chamber confining a motor and labattery in a circuit with a switch for controlling said circuit; aresilient rudder, a programmer within said chamber comprising a ratchethaving a segmental cam operatively engageable with said switch foropening `and closing the same, a left and a right tiller arm on saidratchet each spaced segmentally from each other and from said cam andalternately engageable with said rudder -for flexing the same to theleft and to the right respectively, a spring urged pawl for advancingsaid ratchet in segmental steps, a manually operated control lineextending into said chamber and secured to said pawl for pulling thelatter against the action of its spring for advancing said ratchet, adrive shaft housing projecting forwardly from said tubular bodyincluding a passage, a propeller at the fore end of said housing, and adrive shaft connecting said propeller to said motor comprising a twistedcable snugly fit within said passage whereby the helical trend of saidcable cooperates with the internal wall of said passage to forceincoming Water outwardly of said passage during rotation of said cable,said drive shaft housing being turnable relative to said tubular bodyfacilitating setting of the curved contour of said drive shaft housingto compensate for drift and side currents in the water in which saidvessel is traveling.

18. In a water going line carrier of the propeller driven type having atubular body providing a sealed chamber confining a motor and a batteryin -a circuit with a switch for controlling said circuit; a programmerwithin said chamber comprising a step-up mechanism having cam meansalternately engageable with said switch for opening and closing thesame, a manually operated control line extending into said chamber andsecured to said stepup mechanism for advancing the same, and a brakemechanism on said tubular body facilitating unrestricted forwardmovement thereof under the influence of said propeller and resistingbackward movement of said body when pulled rearwardly upon manipulationof said control line.

19. In a water going line carrier of the propeller driven vessel typehaving the form of a sealed chamber confining a rnotor connected to thepropeller and a battery in a circuit with the motor including a switchfor controlling said circuit; ra programmer within said chambercomprising a ratchet having cam means operatively engaging said switchfor opening and closing the same, a spring urged pawl for advancing saidratchet in steps, a manually operated control line entering the chamberof said vessel and secured to said pawl for pulling the latter againstthe action of its spring for advancing said ratchet, a keel-like lin onsaid body and a bale plate hinged on said tubular body transversely ofsaid keel-like iin and free to glide through the water yduring forwardmovement of said body under the influence of said propeller and forabutting the aft end of said keel-like fin for resisting backwardmovement of said body when the latter is pulled rearwardly uponmanipulation of said control line.

20. In a water going line carrier of the type having ya tubular bodyproviding a sealed chamber confining an electric motor, batteries incircuit with the motor and a switch in said circuit for controlling thelatter; a resilient rudder at the aft end of said tubular body, apropeller at the fore end of said tubular body connected to said motor,a programmer in said chamber comprising a stepup mechanism including acam engageable with said switch for opening and closing the same, amanually operated control line extending into said chamber and .se-

cured to said steplup mechanism for advancing the same to thereby engageand disengage said cam with said switch at the option of theuserr'nanipulatingsaid control line, tiller arms on said step-upmechanism spaced circumferencially of each other for alternatelyengaging and 4disengaging said resilient rudder for flexing the sametoright and left alternately for changing the'course of s aid water goingcarrier, a stabilizing keel-like fin on said body` set Y at an angle ofat least 5 degrees 01T `vertical to counteract torque created -bysaidpropeller, and a Ibate plate hinged Ward movernentfof saidihody whenthelatter is pulledv rearwardly upon manipulation of` said controlline.

o References Cited in theleof this patientv Y UNITED STATESYlPATIJ'I" SVl293,735 i i V'Hender'son Feb; 19,; i884YV 533,318 f Pohlman Jan. 29,Y1:; 95

